Tag: family

The Clematis has finally flowered!

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OMG I might get to go home in 2 or 3 days

As you all know I am plodding and racing at the same time to complete my stem cell journey hospital stay portion. I have been putting my steps in, keeping mobile. Gobbling all the antibiotics for all the infections. Trying to stay moving as my hemoglobin drops in over half. Having diarrhea all the time. Trying to croak just days before. A lot has turned around in a fast pace (if you can call a whole month in the hospital fast). This is girl is super grateful and happy to be alive. That Is the main glowing thought on my brain right now. I am filled with happiness and hope. I can swallow and sort of taste food again. All wins.

Naturally my family is nervous about me coming home. They don’t want me to rush. I tell them not to worry. That is definitely not what is going on here. There has been no rushing. I have no great impetus to hurry home in a rushed fashion. Of course I would love to go home…when it’s safe. I told them we have to trust that my doctors aren’t just trying to get rid of me. We are trying to strike that fine line of compromise and safety. If it ends being earlier than we thought, sounds like a win to me for all mine and their hard work. We have spent too much time with being scared. Now is the time for cautious optimism not fear. We have come too far. The doctors believe in me. My family can believe in me too. I know they can. Cheers to the thought of going home and beginning the next part of the adventure!

Dr. Katz

I can’t believe I am doing this again.

Hi guys. Long time no write I realize. There has been a crap ton of stuff going on. I have cancer again, for the second time in three years. This time instead of Hodgkins, I have large b cell primary cns lymphoma. That means I have a monster brain tumor. Yuck. This means two different cell lines within three years. This means I have a stem cell issue and am probably looking at stem cell transplant on top of months of chemo. This mean months in the hospital away from my family and other people I Iove. To even say the words brain cancer out loud are terrifying. It’s the kind of thing that sends a little shudder of terror right to your heart. I can’t help it. it’s true. It’s a scary thing. I personally feel it shouldn’t happen to anybody…lol. It’s one of those things that I cannot spend a lot of time overthinking about. The fear could paralyze you if you let it. Life must go on somehow, no matter how much you have left. I realize that this one could finish me but I am not going to let it stop me from living now. I am going to do everything I can to stay for myself, my family, my friends and my patients. I am determined to make the most of my life. 

I am about to change direction and tell you what has been good about this diagnosis. I realize that that sounds ridiculous and counterintuitive, but just listen for a minute. The overflowing vast amount of support has been amazing and warms my heart. It reminds me of all the blessings I still have despite my diseased brain. My staff, friends, family and patients have been amazing and I could not be more grateful. It reminds me that I am a good person who has spread positivity and helpfulness into the world and now people are trying to give it back. No matter what happens, I will try never to forget that. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Stay positive and fierce people!

Dr. Katz

The Monroe Community Players have turned 75 years old

The Monroe Community Players, started by Marie and Bill Smith 75 years ago. It’s hard to believe isn’t it? They are still going strong after all these years. There have been pandemics, pauses, and economic crises. And yet, they are still viable. I can remember my first players experience. My father-in-law invited me in during Fiddler on the Roof to play in the pit orchestra. I thought sure what the heck? Why not? The music was fun. The people were very interesting. I was hooked immediately. A couple of years later when they ran out of funds to pay conductors, I ended up musically directing Guys and Dolls and later South Pacific. I did both of these without any paid musicians and a mix of adults and high school students. I also did these with little babies swaddled on my chest, breastfeeding!

I can remember that we really caused a stir with that because we weren’t paying anyone. I can remember telling students that they were being paid in experience which was way more valuable in the long run. I remember telling them that show experience was not common but very valuable. Several of my students ended up going into careers with music. We were all very dedicated. We rehearsed constantly. I always brought lots of baked goods and gave them out as rewards for good answers to questions like ” who knows what this cue is for?” Everybody got very good at homing in on the details and we would end up passing out baked goods like crazy. I can even remember when I started getting febrile with strep in the middle of a performance. I kept waving my arms until I just couldn’t anymore and had to be carried off the podium! That’s how badly i wanted to see it through!. I just kind of lilted off the podium at the last of the applause.

Even after those dramatic incidences, I continued to either play in the pit or direct the orchestra. I loved it. As I got busier and my practice grew, I had less time to do it though. I have missed those times.

Tonight we gather together to celebrate the last 75 years with word, vignettes, and songs. There will be a vast array of humans at all different ages, each with a different story to tell. I can’t wait to here what they have to say.

Dr. Katz